Vicar's update 12th December

Christmas is nearly here and on Sunday we begin our celebrations at St Stephen’s with identical Carol Services at 4.30pm and 6.30pm, each lasting about an hour followed by refreshments. The choir have been practising hard, as well as their pieces there will be lots of familiar carols to sing (and a brass section to accompany us) together with beautiful Christmas readings. Do come and please invite family, neighbours and friends too. The services are suitable for all the family (although probably not for the very young). We also have our usual morning services at 9am and 10.30am.

We are still in need to offers of mince pies and cakes/snacks (homemade or shop bought) for the 4.30 pm service on Christmas Eve. Please sign up at church if you can help.

Thanks so much to all who have been out on the streets putting our Christmas invitations through doors. Please pray that they may prompt some people to come to church this Christmas and find Jesus for themselves.

If you were in church on Sunday you will know that the heating wasn’t working. As the final stage of the new buildings project the old gas meter was removed in order to be be replaced with a new external meter. Unfortunately, things have not gone to plan and we currently have no gas connected to the building. The good news is that we have hired in additional heating for the weekend so things will be much better but this may still be a good reason to dig out that Christmas jumper and wear it to our Carol Services!

Have a good week - I look forward to seeing you and your friends and family at the Carol Services on Sunday.